I forgot to put the clothes in the dryer and it is well past midnight. I thought I was going to just write a couple of sentences of update, but I don’t want to leave wet clothes in the washer overnight. There will be items that need to come out of the dryer immediately and hung on hangers to keep from getting wrinkled while sitting overnight in the dryer. I will have time to write more than a short update.

When I was a child, I remember routinely finding a plastic bag of wet clothes in the refrigerator to avoid mildew until they could be ironed. The rest hung outside until dry — even in freezing weather. In rainy or snowy weather they would be hung in the basement to dry. By the way, Mom ironed everything, of course shirts and blouses and pants and skirts, but also sheets, pillow cases, handkerchiefs, T-shirts and underwear. I am unable to run the iron. It is an unfortunate disability that has no cure.

Today Mary Ann got up early and just headed out the door of the bedroom. By the time she reached the door, I woke from REM sleep containing one of those pastor dreams in which there is a service that I am leading and I am not prepared, or something that I need can’t be found, or I have lost my place in the service book. I guess I should thank her for ending the dream, but I certainly was not done sleeping.

I moved quickly and got her seated so that I could put on something and take her out for food and pills. Almost immediately after eating, she agreed to lie down in bed for a while so that I could get a little more sleep. She ended up sleeping for close to three hours. I got about an hour and a half more of sleep.

After she got up, I gave her a sandwich for lunch. Then came some reluctant intestinal activity, needing my assistance. When that was done, she was very tired again. She had fainted a couple of times before and after lunch. She slept again, for about an hour and a half. Oddly, when she awoke, she was convinced that it was early in the morning. It was actually after three in the afternoon. She didn’t seem to believe me at first. It took quite a while to finally convince her that it was not early in the day.

While she was napping Arlene came over with a plate full of fudge and candy she had made. Wow! Is that stuff good! Later Glenn and Margaret brought over a plate of goodies. They also are very good. Yesterday afternoon, Don had brought over freshly smoked salmon and bread. In each case we were the recipients of a wonderful gift of food and, in addition, some pleasant conversation — especially enjoyed by this retired pastor suffering from Diminished Conversation Opportunity Syndrome.

This evening our Kids from Kentucky (staying with us) took us out for an Anniversary Dinner. Our little five year old Granddaughter, Ashlyn, was diagnosed with a Strep infection this morning, so she was not a happy camper today. She was feeling well enough for us to go to Famous Dave’s and enjoy a nice meal. I ran into one of the young people from the congregation I served here, reminding me just how much working with Youth meant to me over the years. (The majority of my 407 FaceBook Friends are Youth.) Juli is a beautiful young lady inside and outside, with a heart of gold. Her Mom is one of the Volunteers who stays with Mary Ann.

Dryer is done! So will this post be done soon.

One interesting sidelight today is that Denis bought a Wii for the family. They tried it out this afternoon. They are going to love playing that, especially when they use it on their large screen digital television in the large family room at their house in Kentucky. We tried to help Mary Ann do some bowling, but the coordination just isn’t there. I have often thought about how beneficial it might be to have a Wii to help Mary Ann stay active. She loves games. I have been waiting for clear evidence that it will actually accomplish the goal. It is too expensive to buy and then find out it is not helpful.

An update: Daughter-in-Law Rebecca’s Gall Bladder surgery went well today, and she is at home, feeling good (according to the last emailed report). The email was titled “Weight Loss Program” using the removal of organs as the means. She is a Corker!

Time to edit and get some rest!

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